Serbia has always straddled East and West, not only in a geographical sense, but also politically and culturally. At first, Serbia found itself between the Byzantine and Roman empires, then it became a frontier between the Ottoman Empire and the Christian West. This centuries-long position in the path of conquering armies from both sides has led to constant migrations and the mixing of populations. The result is a multiethnic, multicultural and multiconfessional society in Serbia.

The Balkans, with roots firmly planted in European culture, is a region of interrupted memories. Though civilizations have perished, their traces have been preserved by geography, culture and language. With each new ruler, fragments of history were either protected, as embodied by beautifully conserved fortresses, destroyed, as evidenced by remnants of pagan temples, churches and monasteries, or left to crumble, as reflected by long vanished imperial palaces.

Today, you can recapture the memories of Serbia’s European past through various points in time, discovering their hidden magic. Across serene mountain ranges and at the confluence of spectacular rivers and valleys, ancient civilizations sought out hidden, special places which empowered them to collectively create ideas, erect settlements and establish the foundations on which modern Serbia rests.

From the bustling city centers of Belgrade and Novi Sad, to the gently sloping valleys of the central Šumadija region, to the banks of the mighty Danube, Serbia offers some of the very best cultural travel experiences in Central and Eastern Europe. Discover cultural remnants of the Roman era, explore the hideaways of long-ago Emperors, and wander through exquisite Romanesque-Byzantine monasteries on one of the three culture trails promoted by the National Tourist Organization of Serbia.